Test post.....welcome!

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John Sponauer
Senior Editor
SimHQ.com
jsponauer@SimHQ.com

works, now we need some non staff people to make it a happenin place

You know who.

What's the latest on this sim? Last time I checked it was looking decidedly lightweight...

Anyone else here seen the real thing? I saw the British Aerospace EJ200 powered Typhoon at RIAT 98 and the DASA RB199 powered aircraft at Farnborough 2000. Both times I saw it I had to pick my jaw up off the floor after seeing its display. I know I've said it before but this aircraft will be very hot property when it goes into service.

Rafale - pah! Su-37 - don't make me laugh! F-22 - what's that then?

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Nick

Oh, ok Nick, you say "What F-22?" as you dangle from your parachute and it flies off totally unseen.
The Jedi Master

LOL

When I done the pilot selection tests for the RAF I got into an argument with one of the interviewing officers about the relative merits of the EF vs. F-22

As far as I can tell (and I'm by no means an expert), the stealth features of the F-22 imparts a marginal edge over the EF in a BVR fight. If this new Meteor missile works as advertised then it will probably be better than the new ramjet powered AIM-120. In a straight dogfight between the two I think the EF has the edge over the competition.

I think it's a moot point anyway - it's highly unlikely that the EF and F-22 will meet in combat.

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Nick

Uh...but does it matter that the Meteor has a longer range if it can't see the F-22 at that distance!
The idea is for the F-22 to be able to lock on in the envelope of the AMRAAM before an opponent is able to lock on to the F-22. The F-14 did this by virtue of its mega-missile, the F-22 will do it by stealth.
Against an F-15C, say, I'd agree the EF has the upper hand. Or an Su-27/35/37/whatever. As you say, though, what countries that would qualify for those planes would fight? Of course, there are 2 countries I can think of that both have F-16s that are at each others throats all the time! And there are countries with F-15s that could conceivably fight, so...
The Jedi Master

True, the longer range of the meteor is negated by the F-22's stealth, but the EF has a pretty small RCS itself, especially from the front. From what I've read it is stated to be something like less than 25% that of the F/A-18. Compared to the Su-27 family the RCS of the EF is tiny.

I think that the F-22 and EF are VERY close in terms of air-air capabilities, with the F-22 having a small edge in a BVR fight and the EF being slightly better in the dogfight arena.

Now that I think about it it is possible for the F-22 and EF to meet in combat. It's entirely possible that the F-22 will be exported to Israel at some point, and BAe is responsible for selling the EF to friendly arab nations (UAE, Saudi, Bahrain etc)...

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Nick

I saw the real Typhoon at the Scottish airshow in September, like you say Nick it was jaw dropping stuff, a very highly manoeuvrable aircraft indeed.
Actually the F22 and Typhoon may well go into combat at some point in the future, but probably in the form of an exercise
I read Sharkey Wards book and his account of the Sea Harriers going up against F15's and beating them.
It would be great to see footage of such an encounter should it ever happen.

MD